Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Origami Birds From a Japanese Girl


--by ecochic, posted Dec 24, 2007

Back in primary school, there was a Japanese girl in my class. This was before it was common to see people of Asian nationality in New Zealand and she was possibly the first Japanese person I ever met.   Perhaps that's why her unique culture touched me.

While her stay in New Zealand was short, she joined our class to experience our culture.  On her last day with us, she gave our class of 30 a simple gift of thanks -- two origami birds and two Japanese style pens for each person in the class- that's about 60 birds+ 60 pens!  It must have taken her all night to create those!

I can't remember her name, and can't really remember her face but I still remember her act of kindness.

After about 10 years, I still have and treasure those little birds!

 

 

1642 Reads

Readers Comments

lmil1954 wrote: That's agreat story ecochic. Thanks for sharing it. It is sweet how we remember and treasure something special that someone has done for us. God bless you!
irongrace wrote: isn't it beautiful how we learn and treaure others gifts.
JuneBug wrote: I love origami..Someday I will take the time to learn it. What a special thing for your friend to do! And I am sure it touched many!
brighteyes wrote: My 5ht grade teacher lived in Japan for several years and we studied that country then.....I have always had a love for Japan and things Japanese....for my nieces and nephews one year, I bought an origami kit with papers and directions and we spent hours making all kinds ...though the birds are one of my favorites....

I also had a Japanese foreign exchange student for 6 mths...we shared a dorm room and I helped her with her English....she gave me some ornaments and I especially love the origami bird, the bright red fish and the Oriental woman made of ceramic and hand painted.

Your story brought back some wonderful memories for me....thanks!

Add A Comment